Print handling device



M1887, 1945- L. P.M ARTINEK 2,381,765

PRINT HANDLING DEV-ICE Filed Feb. 14, 1944' invehfom Patented Aug. 7,1945 PRINT HANDLING DEVICE Louis Phillip Martinek, Cleveland, OhioApplication February 14, 1944, Serial No. 522,278

4 Claims ((31. 95-100) I The invention relates to improvements in printhandling devices, and particularly to articles of this character forhandling wet photographic prints or enlargements from acid, alkaline,and

poisonous solutions during course of develop ment.

.The purposes of the invention are to provide a simpl device for thepurposes stated, which may be economically manufactured, convenientlyand reliably operated, be non-injurious to the prints handled, andprotect the solutions which are used for the development and alsoprotect the'hands of the operator.

The annexed drawing and the following description set forth in detailcertain means illustrating the improvements in print handling devices,such disclosed means constituting, however, only one of the variousforms in which the principle of the invention may be embodied.

The drawing figure is a perspective of the improved print handlingdevice.

Referring to the annexed drawing, the improved device which ispreferably of plastic formation has a substantially flat paddle endportion I, which is of reticulated formation, whereby drainage of theprint/positioned thereon is assured, as also, a firmer adherence of theprint thereto, this paddle I having an opposite end handle 2 into whichit merges in curved formation 5, the handle 2 being comprised of twoparts integrally joined together at their outer end portions, one part 2being a rigid handle portion proper, and. the other part 2 being aspring-like finger which is of outwardly convex formation and isextended substantially longitudinally of and above the handle proper 2and terminates in a tong 2 adjacently of and slightly spaced from thearea where the inner end of the paddle I merges into the base end of thehandle proper 2 The outer end of th frame of the paddle I is formed intoa chisel-like nose I which permits easy insertion of the paddle I undera print to enable the resting of the print on the paddl I formanipulation thereof.

The lower or rear face of the handle proper 2 is formed'with a pluralityof notched portions 3 and a trigger-like finger grip 4.

In the use of the described device, the paddle I is slipped under theedge of the print which is to be manipulated, the nose I and the singlemember formation of the paddle I permitting this readily to be doneinasmuch as the gripping tong 2 does not interfer and push the edge ofthe print away from the handling device. The

paddle I is slipped under the wet'print until the near edge of thelatter follows the curved formation 5 and'slips under the gripping tong2 when a "the resilient handle portion 2 is depressed by the operatorsthumb toward the handle proper 2 whereby th tong 2 grips the print.

The notches 3 under the handle proper 2 serve to prevent the device fromslipping into the solution trays, thus keeping the handl 2 dry at alltimes, and the trigger-like grip 4 prevents the device from slipping outof the operators hand when working under considerable pressure andspeed.

The advantages of the device, insofar as protection of the solutions andthe operator are concerned, are especially important.

The device does not absorb chemicals as quickly as the human hand, andcan be more easily cleaned. Thus, the solutions are kept chemicallypure, result in better development, and last longer, thus both betteringthe work and decreasing cost.

The manipulating of prints with human hands damages valuable negativesand produces stain marks and finger prints. It also produces stains onpaper due to handling with warm hands, especially in warm weather. Theuse of the instant improved print handling device eliminates thesedifiiculties.

Production is also speeded up, particularly when one operator isperforming the operations, since the frequent washing and drying ofhands between developing and printing results in considerable loss oftime.

There is also a safety feature to the use of the improved device whichis very important. Oftentimes, the putting of the operators hands intothe various solutions results in blood poisoning from metol, acids, etc.This is particularly true when the operators hands are chapped orcracked from frequent Washing and immersing in solutions.

Both large and small photographic prints can be efficiently handled bythe improved device.

What I claim is:

l. A print-handling device comprising a body member having an end paddleportion merging in curved formation into an opposite end handle, thelatter being a multiple-part member the parts of which are integrallyjoined adjacent their outer ends and one part forming an operatinghandle proper and another part being a spring-like finger terminatingadjacent the curved merging inner end of the paddle, whereby a printrested on the paddle can be gripped by the pressing of the end of thefinger against the adjacent portion of the device.

2. A print-handling device comprising a body member having an end paddleportion merging in curved formation into an opposite end handle, thelatter being a two-part member the parts of which are integrally joinedadjacent their outer ends and one part forming an operating handleproper and the other part being a springlike finger extended above andsubstantially longitudinally along the handle proper and having a curvedtong terminal portion adjacent the curved merging inner end of thepaddle, whereby the finger can be pressed toward the handle proper togrip a print rested on the paddle between said tong and the adjacentportion of the device.

3. A print-handling device comprising a body member having an end paddleportion merging in curved formation into an opposite end handle, thelatter being a multiple-part member the parts of which are integrallyjoined adjacent their outer ends and one part forming an operatinghandle proper and another part being a spring-like finger terminatingadjacent the curved merging inner end of the paddle, whereby a printrested on the paddle can be gripped by the pressing of the end of thefinger against the adjacent portion of the device, the rear face of thehandle proper adjacent the integral formation being formed with a fingergrip, and also with notches inwardly of said finger grip to prevent thedevice from slipping into solution tanks.

4. A print-handling device comprising a body member having an endreticulated paddle portion merging in curved formation into an oppositeend handle, the latter being a two-part member the parts of which areintegrally joined adjacent their outer ends and one part forming anoperating handle proper and the otherpart being an outwardly convexspring-like finger extended above and substantially longitudinally alongthe handle proper and having a tong terminal portion directed toward andadjacent the base end of the handle proper, whereby the finger can bepressed toward the handle proper to grip a print rested on the paddlebetween said tong and said base end.

LOUIS PHILLIP MARTINE'K.

